§ 43. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the procedure adopted in fixing a minimum wage in the 1728 Jamaica sugar industry at 2s. 6d. a day for men and 1s. 6d. for women; and whether he is aware of the discontent caused by the proclamation of this wage rate and of the many workers' resolutions which have been passed in protest; and whether representative unions were consulted in fixing these wages?
§ Colonel StanleyIn the majority of cases, the wages of sugar workers are governed by the agreement signed in March, 1941, between the Jamaica sugar manufacturers and the Bustamante industrial trades union and these workers are already in receipt of wages in excess of the minimum rates now mentioned. The latter rates, which were fixed by the Governor on the advice of the Sugar Industry Advisory Board, which includes three trades union representatives, are intended to apply in the case of certain daily workers whose case is not covered by the agreement. The reason why these workers were not so covered is not quite clear to me and I am asking the Governor for an explanation.
§ Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware that the rise in the cost of living amounts to about 60 per cent. and that the figures given here, 2s. 6d. for a man and 1s. for a woman, are less than the subsistence rate?
§ Colonel StanleyAs I have said in answer to this Question, I am not clear why these people are not covered by the wage fixed by negotiation with the trade unions, which is a much higher scale than this. I am, however, making inquiries.
§ Dr. Edith SummerskillWill the Minister explain how a woman in Jamaica can live on 10s. a week?
§ Colonel StanleyThe cost of living in Jamaica is lower than it is here.
§ Mr. George GriffithsWhat are the overtime rates on top of these scales?